Cohoes Music Hall reopens after concerns about stage lighting addressed

Concerns about stage lighting prompt city officials to close facility temporarily

By
Danielle Sanzone, Troy/The Record

Friday, May 16, 2014

COHOES >> The Cohoes Music Hall was shuttered abruptly - but temporarily - Thursday due to a stage lighting issue. A performance of C-R Productions’ last show of the season, “Little Shop of Horrors,” went on as scheduled Friday night following an electrical inspection of the theater.

On Friday morning, signs were posted on all of the doors into the venue which stated: “Danger - This structure is declared unsafe for human occupancy or use.” These signs were posted along with “No Trespassing” signs that were put up by the city’s Code Enforcement department.

Prior to Thursday night’s show, music hall officials were notified via a letter dated May 13 that a walk through of the 140-year-old venue performed on May 8 came back with some electrical problems, mainly concerns about the stage lighting near the ceiling, said artistic director Jim Charles.

“I have never not felt safe in this building,” said Charles, who noted that his 2-year-old daughter and other family members visit the theater regularly.

He said the concern was mainly with worries of a stage light overheating in the old building.

“We have never had an issue before,” he said.

An official announcement was made by C-R Productions at the Cohoes Music Hall by 3:30 p.m. that the show would go on as scheduled at 8 p.m. Friday.

This marks the 12th season that C-R Productions has been in the historic venue, which turned 140 years old this year.

Their Sunday matinee is the last of their season. A summer camp is also planned, along with an educational program called C-R Kids. Charles said some repairs are ongoing throughout the building.

Mayor George Primeau said he was glad that the show could go on.

“We just wanted to make sure the building was safe,” said Primeau.

Independent electricians worked in the building throughout the day Friday and everything passed a follow up inspection that day, said Charles.

While the music hall has not faced electrical issues in the past, there have been other problems. Most recently, multiple performances of “Little Shop of Horrors” had to be cancelled due to four of the eight cast members being sick. The organization’s finances were in trouble back in 2012 when officials said they needed to fill a budget gap of $75,000 within two weeks. The group reached and exceeded their goal with the community’s support.

And, in spring 2013, an idea of a city-appointed executive director for the building never came to fruition.

Performances of “Little Shop of Horrors” are slated for today at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m., officials said.

The music hall, located on Remsen Street in Cohoes, also houses a visitor’s center on the street level of the facility.